TAGEM General Manager Türker, who visited the Sheep Breeding Research Institute in Bandırma, Balıkesir, said that they are a very large R&D organization.
Stating that they carry out R&D studies in 11 fields related to the agricultural sector in Turkey, from plant and animal health to aquaculture, from agricultural technologies to mechanization, Türker continued as follows:
“TAGEM has a tremendous capacity, we are among the top 10 in the world. We have 49 research institutes and 2,300 researchers. Among our institutes, 10 are national, 13 are regional and 26 are subject-based. At TAGEM, we have 44 associate professors. We have 615 PhD researchers. We have more than 300 laboratories and a very strong staff. We carry out breeding and R&D studies in 12 research institutes. We also work with universities, non-governmental organizations and institutions that we have R&D authorization. “
Projects related to the development of animal breeds
Türker emphasized that by protecting animal breeds, they developed breeds with high meat and milk yield.
Noting that they produce over 80 projects every year, Türker said, “We carry out guided projects in line with the wishes of our General Directorate of Livestock. We have many projects on the development of various breeds that our country and our industry need. We also work with international research institutions, support projects prepared by our professors at universities, so We are in a multi-faceted work.” he said.
Türker stated that local and national race studies are continuing.
Explaining that the future of the white meat industry will be guaranteed with the “Anadolu-T” chicken breed, which they have developed entirely with domestic and national resources, Türker gave the following information:
“We also have native breeds for laying hens, and we are working on developing them. We also have local breeds that we have developed with Afyon Kocatepe University in cattle breeding. Last year, we carried out embryo transfer and sales for the first time in cattle. In this respect, we have very successful practices. Our R&D studies that will increase the efficiency and quality in the sector by using the semen produced at the point of breeding animal breeds in the insemination of animals all over Turkey continue increasingly.”
“Every 1 degree increase above 36 degrees adversely affects the meat and milk yield of the animal”
Metin Türker drew attention to the negative effects of climate change on animal health.
Mentioning that they are working on this issue in all processes from vaccine production to food, Türker said, “Every 1 degree increase above 36 degrees Celsius negatively affects the meat and milk yield of the animal and puts the animals under stress. In this respect, we also carry out projects for solutions related to animal health.” used the phrase.
Noting that they describe TAGEM as “the TÜBİTAK of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry”, Türker stated that they also carry out important studies with TÜBİTAK.
Expressing that they carry out projects related to all areas of the agricultural sector and that they support projects that will be subject to trade with experts from universities and investors within the scope of R&D support programs, Türker concluded his words as follows:
“We also work in harmony with the private sector. We say to the private sector, ‘If you have a project, let’s open our laboratories to you, let’s work with our researchers, let’s develop new products.’ We produce guided projects to fulfill the demands of the relevant general directorates.
The institutions that benefit most from international projects are also TAGEM’s institutes. In this respect, many of our researchers both improve themselves and follow the world much more closely. We send our graduate and doctorate students abroad. In this way, we increase the institutional ability of our research staff by having master’s and doctorate degrees at universities abroad.”
